Sound reproduction apparatus for use in vehicular audio applications

ABSTRACT

Speaker apparatus for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a trunk. The speaker apparatus comprises a spare wheel carrying a tire that is disposed in the trunk. An enclosure is secured to the spare wheel. A speaker disposed in the interior of the enclosure. A vent hose couples the interior of the enclosure to the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the enclosure comprises front and rear sections that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel. In another embodiment, the enclosure is sealed, and two vent hoses are used to couple rear and front waves emanating from the speaker into the passenger compartment.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates generally to audio equipment, and more particularly, to subwoofer apparatus for use with an audio system in a vehicle.

[0002] Conventional audio systems used in passenger vehicles, such as those installed by vehicle manufacturers, typically have an AM-FM radio and amplifier. and may include a cassette player and/or compact disk player. The amplifier is typically connected to front and rear sets of speakers. The sound reproduction quality from these types of audio systems is generally mediocre at best.

[0003] To improve the sound quality of such audio systems, aftermarket amplifiers and/or speakers have been installed in the vehicle that have improved performance. The amplifiers are typically multi-channel amplifier (including a crossover network) with subwoofer, bass, mid and high range speaker outputs. Additional sets of speakers are added to the system that are connected to the outputs the multi-channel amplifier.

[0004] Subwoofer speakers typically have custom housings that are constructed to provide an appropriate air volume for the speaker. Bose has heretofore developed a subwoofer speaker that is used in Mercedes SL vehicles. This subwoofer speaker is disposed in an interior compartment behind the driver's seat. The speaker is disposed in an enclosure and has front and rear ports that vent to the passenger compartment.

[0005] In general, the subwoofer enclosures in aftermarket systems are located in the trunk space of the vehicle. Many times, the enclosures are exposed and take up valuable cargo space.

[0006] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have sound reproduction apparatus, and in particular subwoofer speakers, for use with an audio system in a vehicle that improves the sound quality of an audio system employed in the vehicle and minimizes the amount of cargo space that is required for installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides for subwoofer speaker apparatus that is used in conjunction with an audio system disposed in a vehicle. The subwoofer speaker apparatus comprises an enclosure that houses a bass (subwoofer) speaker disposed adjacent a front surface thereof that is electrically coupled to the audio system in the vehicle.

[0008] In a first embodiment of the speaker apparatus, the enclosure comprises front and rear sections that mate with and are secured together to sandwich a spare wheel located in the trunk of the vehicle. The wheel thus forms part of the speaker apparatus. The speaker is not enclosed in the front and radiates sound into the trunk of the vehicle. A port or vent hole is provided in the rear section of the enclosure that is coupled by way of a tube or hose into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0009] In a second embodiment of the speaker apparatus, the speaker is housed within a sealed enclosure having front and rear sections that mate with and are secured together to sandwich the spare wheel. The wheel thus forms part of the speaker apparatus. In this embodiment, the speaker does not radiate sound into the trunk. In this embodiment, an air space is provided in the front section of the enclosure in front of the speaker. The front section of the enclosure has a first or front port or vent hole that is coupled by way of a tube or hose into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The tube coupling the front port to the passenger compartment has a length that is matched (λ) to the front wave produced by the speaker. A second or rear port or vent is provided in the rear section of the enclosure that is coupled by way of a tube or hose into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The tube coupling the rear port to the passenger compartment has a length that is matched (λ/2) to the rear wave produced by the speaker.

[0010] In a third embodiment of the speaker apparatus, an=enclosure is provided that comprises the front section of the apparatus of the first embodiment and is shaped to mate with the front surface of the spare wheel. The speaker is not enclosed in the front and radiates sound into the trunk of the vehicle. A port or vent hole is provided at the rear of the enclosure that is coupled by way of a tube or hose into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a portion of a vehicle and illustrates a first embodiment of speaker apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a second embodiment of speaker apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention,

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of a third embodiment of speaker apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 3a and 3 b illustrate alternative embodiments of the present speaker apparatus shown in FIG. 3; and

[0016]FIGS. 4a-4 d show front and rear perspective views of a reduced-to-practice embodiment of the speaker apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a portion of a vehicle 10 and a first embodiment of speaker apparatus 20 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A front section of the vehicle 10 is illustrated that shows a firewall 11 between a passenger compartment 12 and a trunk 13 located at the front of the vehicle 10. Vehicles 10 having a trunk 13 located in front of the passenger compartment 12 include those manufactured by Porsche, Lamborghini, Toyota and Volkswagen for example. However, it is to be understood that the speaker apparatus 20 may be disposed in a rear trunk 13 of the vehicle 10. A spare wheel 14 and tire 15 are disposed in the trunk 13. The spare wheel 14 may be a full-size or space-saver spare wheel 14 and tire 15. The speaker apparatus 20 may be designed for use with either type of spare wheel 14 and tire 15.

[0018] The first embodiment of the speaker apparatus 20 comprises an enclosure 21 having front and rear sections 22, 23 that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel 14 located in the trunk 13 of the vehicle 10. The front and rear sections 22, 23 of the enclosure 21 may be made of molded plastic material, for example.

[0019] The front section 22 of the enclosure 21 is a generally flat disk-like member having an opening 25 therein. A subwoofer speaker 26 is secured to an inner surface of the front section 22 such as by bolts, for example. A mesh screen 27 covers the opening 25 to allow sound to emanate into the trunk 13 and to protect the speaker 26. The front section 22 is configured to mate with the front surface of the spare wheel 14.

[0020] A flexible or compliant gasket 24 or seal 24 is disposed around the edge of the rear surface of the front section 22 of the enclosure 21. The flexible or compliant gasket 24 or seal 24 seals the front section 22 to the adjacent surface of the wheel 14 when the enclosure 21 is assembled.

[0021] The rear section 23 of the enclosure 21 is also a generally flat disk-like member having a rear port 28 or vent hole 28 disposed therein. The rear section 23 is configured to mate with the rear surface of the spare wheel 14. A flexible or compliant gasket 39 or seal 39 is disposed around the edge of the rear surface of the rear section 23 of the enclosure 21. The flexible or compliant gasket 39 or seal 39 seals the rear section 23 to adjacent surface of the wheel 14 when the enclosure 21 is assembled.

[0022] The front and rear sections 22, 23 are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel 14 and tire 15. Thus, the wheel 14 and tire 15 form part of the speaker apparatus 10. The front and rear sections 22, 23 may be secured together using threaded bolts 31 that extend through the front section 22 and mate with threaded rods 32 or threaded standoffs 32 that are secured to the rear section 23.

[0023] The speaker 26 has a plurality of speaker terminals 33 that are coupled by way of wires 34 to a first connector 35. Wires 37 extend through the rear section 23 and are connected at each end to second and third connectors 36, 38. The second connector 36 mates with the first connector 35, while the third connector 38 mates with a connector (not shown) that is coupled by way of wires to the vehicle audio system (not shown).

[0024] In the first embodiment, the speaker 26 is not enclosed in the front and radiates sound into the trunk 13 of the vehicle 10. The rear port 28 or vent hole 28 at the rear section 23 of the enclosure 21 is coupled by way of a tube 29 or hose 29 to the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10. The tube 29 or hose 29 may be a flexible corrugated tube 29 or hose 29, for example. The tube 29 or hose 29 is tuned to couple the back wave produced by the speaker 26 into the passenger compartment 12, while the speaker 26 radiates sound into the trunk 13.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a second embodiment of speaker apparatus 20 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The second embodiment of speaker apparatus 20 is shown assembled to the wheel 14 and tire 15.

[0026] The second embodiment of speaker apparatus 20 comprises a sealed enclosure 21. The sealed enclosure 21 is comprised of front and rear sections 22, 23 that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel 14 and tire 15. Thus, the wheel 14 forms part of the speaker apparatus 20.

[0027] A speaker 26 is disposed within the sealed enclosure 21. The speaker 26 does not radiate sound into the trunk 14. An air space 42 is provided in the front section 23 of the enclosure 21 in front of the speaker 26.

[0028] The front section 22 of the enclosure 21 has a first or front port 43 or vent hole 43 that is coupled by way of a tube 41 or hose 41 into the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10. The tube 41 coupling the front port 43 to the passenger compartment 12 has a length that is matched (λ) to the front wave produced by the speaker 26.

[0029] A second or rear port 28 or vent 28 is provided in the rear section 23 of the enclosure 21 that is coupled by way of a tube 29 or hose 29 into the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10. The tube 29 coupling the rear port 28 to the passenger compartment 12 has a length that is matched (λ/2) to the rear wave produced by the speaker 26.

[0030] Thus, the speaker 26 produces sound which is coupled from the interior of the enclosure 21 to the passenger compartment 12 by way of both of the two tubes 29. 41 or hoses 29, 41. Because the two tubes 29, 41 or hoses 29, 41 are tuned to the appropriate lengths, the sound coupled into the passenger compartment 12 from the front and rear of the speaker 26 constructively combine to couple bass or subwoofer frequencies into the passenger compartment 12.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of a third embodiment of speaker apparatus 20 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The third embodiment of speaker apparatus 20 comprises a enclosure 21 that houses a speaker 26 in the interior thereof. The enclosure 21 has a front section 22 and a rear section 23 attached to the front section 22. The enclosure 21 is shaped to mate with a front surface of the spare wheel 14.

[0032] A flexible or compliant gasket 24 may be disposed around the edge of the rear surface of the enclosure 21. The flexible or compliant gasket 24 abuts the adjacent surface of the wheel 14 when the enclosure 21 contacts the wheel 14. The speaker 26 is not enclosed in the front and is disposed adjacent an opening 25 in the sealed enclosure 21. The speaker 26 and opening 25 are covered by a mesh screen 27 to allow sound to emanate into the trunk 13 and to protect the speaker 26.

[0033] The speaker 26 radiates sound into the trunk 12 of the vehicle 10. A port 28 or vent hole 28 is provided at the rear of the enclosure 21 that is coupled by way of a tube 29 or hose 29 into the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10. The tube 29 or hose 29 is tuned to couple the back wave produced by the speaker 26 into the passenger compartment 12, while the speaker 26 radiates sound into the trunk 13.

[0034]FIGS. 3a and 3 b illustrate alternative embodiments of the present speaker apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3. The enclosure 21 has a front section 22 and a real selection 23 attached to the front section 22. The enclosure 21 is shaped to mate with a front surface of the spare wheel 14.

[0035] The speaker apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3a has the speaker 26 disposed on a front surface of the front section 22 facing toward the passenger compartment 12 and is located outside of the enclosure 21. The speaker 26 projects sound into the interior of the enclosure 21 through the opening 25. The sound within the enclosure 21 is coupled into the passenger compartment 12 by way of the tube 29 or hose 29. The speaker 26 also projects sound into the trunk 13 of the vehicle 10.

[0036] The speaker apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3b has the speaker 26 disposed on the front surface of the front section 22. The enclosure 21 is sealed and comprises a front section 22, a rear section 23 and a speaker cover 22 a. The rear section 23 and speaker cover 22 a are attached to opposite surfaces of the front section 22. The speaker 26 faces toward the passenger compartment 12 and projects sound into the rear section 23 of the enclosure 21 through an opening 25. In addition, sound raditated firm the real of the speaker 26 may be coupled by way of a tube 41 or hose 41 into the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10 as in the manner described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0037]FIGS. 4a-4 d show front and rear perspective views of a reduced-to-practice embodiment of the speaker apparatus 20. FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing the front surface 51 of the front section 22 of the enclosure 21. The font section 22 is circular in shape and has a thickness of about 1 inch. The front section 23 has a side wall 52 that extends away from the front surface 51. An opening 28 (FIG. 1) having a mesh screen 27 covering it is disposed at the center of the front section 22. A plurality of recesses 53 are formed in the front section 22 that have holes 54 (FIG. 4b) that allow bolts 31 to be inserted therein that secure the front section 22 to the rear section 23.

[0038]FIG. 4b is a perspective view showing the rear surface 55 of the front section 22. As is shown in FIG. 4b, the rear surface 55 has a speaker 26 attached thereto such as by bolts and nuts (not shown). The speaker 26 has electrical wires 34 connected to terminals 33 that terminate at a connector 35. A compliant gasket 24, such as rubber, for example, extends around the periphery of the rear surface 55 of the front section 22. The compliant gasket 24 seals to the adjacent surface of the spare wheel 14 when the speaker apparatus 10 is assembled.

[0039]FIG. 4c is a perspective view showing the front surface 61 of the rear section 23 of the enclosure 21. The rear section 23 is circular in shape and has a thickness of about 1 inch. The has a plurality of threaded standoffs 32 that align with the holes 54 in the front section 22 and which captivate the bolts 31 that are inserted through the holes 54 to secure the front section 22 to the rear section 23.

[0040] A compliant gasket 63, such as rubber, for example, extends around the periphery of the front surface 61 of the rear section 23. The compliant gasket 63 seals to the adjacent surface of the spare wheel 14 when the speaker apparatus 10 is assembled. A plurality of wires 64 extend through an opening 65 in the rear section 23 that terminate in a connector 66 that mates with the connector 53 coupled to the speaker 26.

[0041] A vent hole 28 is formed through the rear section 23. The vent hole 28 is coupled by way of a tube 29 or hose 29 to the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1). Sound produced by the speaker 26 is coupled by way of the tube 29 or hose 29 to the passenger compartment 12. Wires 37 extend through the rear section 23 and are connected at each end to second and third connectors 36, 38. The second connector 36 mates with the first connector 35, while the third connector 38 mates with a connector that is coupled to the vehicle audio system (not shown).

[0042]FIG. 4d is a perspective view showing the rear surface 71 of the rear section 23 of the enclosure 21. The rear surface 71 has a plurality of standoffs 72 that are designed for proper installation of the speaker apparatus 10 and spare wheel 15 and tire 15 in a particular vehicle 10. The plurality of wires 37 that pass through the opening 65 in the rear section 23 terminate at respective ends at second and third connectors 36. 38. A connector and wires (not shown) are provided that mates with the third connector 38 that is connected to the amplifier of the audio system of the vehicle 10.

[0043] A metal bracket 74 is attached to the rear surface 71 of the rear section 23 that has a plurality of holes therein that allow the speaker apparatus 10 and spare wheel 15 to be secured in the trunk of the vehicle 10. The location and configuration of the metal bracket 74 varies with the vehicle 10 in which the speaker apparatus 10 and spare wheel 15 is used.

[0044] Thus, sound reproduction or speaker apparatus for use with an audio system in a vehicle has been disclosed. It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Clearly, numerous and other arrangements can be readily devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Speaker apparatus for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a trunk, comprising: a spare wheel carrying a tire disposed in the trunk; an enclosure disposed in the spare wheel; a speaker disposed in the interior of the enclosure; a vent hose coupling the interior of the enclosure to the passenger compartment.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim I wherein the speaker is disposed in the interior of the enclosure.
 3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker is disposed outside of the enclosure.
 4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the speaker faces the passenger compartment and is disposed in the interior of the enclosure.
 5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises front and rear sections that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel.
 6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the front and rear sections of the enclosure comprise molded plastic material.
 7. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker is secured to the front section of the enclosure.
 8. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the enclosure is sealed and wherein a first vent hose couples a rear wave emanating from the speaker into the rear section of the enclosure to the passenger compartment, and a second vent hose couples a front wave emanating from the speaker into the front section of the enclosure to the passenger compartment.
 9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein the first vent hose has a length that is matched to the front wave produced by the speaker, and wherein the second vent hose has a length that is matched to the rear wave produced by the speaker.
 10. Speaker apparatus for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a trunk, comprising: a spare wheel carrying a tire disposed in the trunk; an enclosure having front and rear sections that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel; a speaker disposed in the interior of the enclosure; a vent hose coupling the interior of the enclosure to the passenger compartment.
 11. The apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein the front and rear sections of the enclosure comprise molded plastic material.
 12. The apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein the speaker is secured to the front section of the enclosure.
 13. The apparatus recited in claim 1 O wherein the enclosure is sealed and wherein a first vent hose couples a rear wave emanating from the speaker into the rear section of the enclosure to the passenger compartment, and a second vent hose couples a front wave emanating from the speaker into the front section of the enclosure to the passenger compartment.
 14. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein the first vent hose has a length that is matched to the front wave produced by the speaker, and wherein the second vent hose has a length that is matched to the rear wave produced by the speaker.
 15. Speaker apparatus for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a trunk, comprising: a spare wheel carrying a tire disposed in the trunk; a sealed enclosure having front and rear sections that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel; a speaker disposed in the interior of the enclosure; a first vent hose that couples a rear wave emanating from the speaker into the rear section of the enclosure to the passenger compartment; and a second vent hose couples a front wave emanating from the speaker into the front section of the enclosure to the passenger compartment.
 16. The apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein the front and rear sections of the enclosure comprise molded plastic material.
 17. The apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein the speaker is secured to the front section of the enclosure.
 18. The apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein the first vent hose has a length that is matched to the front wave produced by the speaker, and wherein the second vent hose has a length that is matched to the rear wave produced by the speaker. 